The Mourning After
Chapter 14
Summary: Dinner, Dancing and a lot more.
Sorry for the long delay but I sort of developed writer's block for this chapter, but don't worry I have the whole story mapped out in my mind. Thank you guys for the reviews, please keep them coming!
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"Hey guys, sorry we're late." Haley said as her and Nathan took their seats in the restaurant.
"Yo Nate, you got a little chocolate right here." Skills said, wiping his lip.
Nathan instantly wiped his mouth and the whole table erupted in laughter.
"Very funny guys." Nathan joined in the laughter but Haley turned completely red. "Just know it was her idea."
"Nathan!" Haley gasped and took a jab at him.
"What, it was!?"
She turned even redder and the table laughed once more. A waitress came by and handed them their menu.
"You guys order already?" Haley asked trying to change the topic.
"Umm.. we kinda ate already." Lucas said.
"What?" Nathan responded. He looked over at Haley who was glaring at him that said: This is all your fault!
"We've been here for a while.. we just ordered desserts, though I think you guys already had yours." Rachel smirked.
--
Flashback
2 hours earlier
Haley was on top of Nathan and leaned down to kiss him again. "Ok, this time I really need to go."
"No, stay." Nathan pouted.
"C'mon we're having dinner with everyone."
"You can be my dinner." He said seductively.
Haley giggled. "Well you already had that for breakfast, lunch…"
"And don't forget a couple of snacks."
"A couple?" Haley giggled further. "Ok.. I'm taking a shower." Haley said getting up and Nathan pouted like a little kid.
Once inside the shower though, Nathan had other plans.
"Nathan, what're you doing here?" Haley asked as she was about to shampoo her hair.
"What I have to take a shower too?" He shrugged.
--
Nathan and Haley ate their dinners as everyone else were eating their desserts. Brooke looked over at Nathan and Haley and thought that they were so cute. The two were sharing each others food and he would sometimes feed her his and vice versa.
"You two have to stop… it's too cute to watch." Brooke finally said.
"What? We're just eating?" Haley tried to sound so innocent.
"Yeah.. each other." Peyton joined in.
"You guys aren't going to let this one go huh?" Haley shot back.
"Don't bet on it." Brooke laughed.
Haley put her fork down and wiped her mouth. "But seriously guys.. (now addressing the whole table) .. thank you for everything.. ever since the shooting .. and even before then.. things were a little rough…" Haley turned to Nathan and saw the pangs of guilt on his face. She squeezed his thigh to reassure him. "but I wouldn't have made it out with out you guys.. so thank you for everything .. from the bottom of my heart thank you." She looked around the table and everyone smiled and nodded in her direction.
"And thank you most of all." She looked up at Nathan and he smiled and she leaned in and gave him a quick kiss.
Nathan picked up his glass. "I propose a toast."
Everyone raised their glasses. "I'd like to say thank you to everyone .. you guys have
been there for me when I probably didn't even deserve it."
"Probably?" Lucas raised his eyebrow.
"Ok.. when I didn't deserve it." Nathan chuckled and everyone laughed. "So here's to my beautiful wife (smiles at Haley) and to good friends."
"CHEERS!"
--
After they had dinner, they headed downstairs. Once the kitchen was closed, they removed all the tables and set up a dance floor, while people were free to sit and chat in the booths against the wall. A DJ was brought in and people were already dancing. Rachel, being Rachel, was able to get everyone wrist bands so they could grab drinks at the bar. The whole group headed out to the dance floor to burn off the food they just ate.
Lucas looked around and for the first time in a long time, he saw smiles on everyone's faces. He was especially happy to see his brother and best friend finally resolve their issues and now they looked more in love than ever. He held Brooke tighter, wanting to remember this moment forever.
While the group continued to dance, Nathan and Haley eventually snuck out of the dance floor.
"Where are we going?"
"I heard this place had a killer view." He took Haley's hand in his as they walked around the grounds. The place was definitely beautiful. The restaurant/bar overlooked a small lake, with the mountains towering all over them. The night was cool and clear. The stars twinkled and the moon shone bright over them. They walked over to the dock, which was lighted by torches.
"You're right, this view is amazing.. I've never seen anything so beautiful." Haley stared out.
"I could say the same thing." Nathan said but his eyes only on Haley. She was blushing again, only him.
"Now that we're together.. I don't ever want to keep anything from you again .. I don't ever want to come close to losing you."
"You're never going to lose me."
Nathan smiled and kissed her. "I actually have something to tell you.. I've been waiting for the perfect time."
"What is it!?" Haley jumped up in excitement.
"I know we haven't really talked about college yet .. but I know you always wanted to go to Stanford so I asked Whitey a to contact their coach for me and I submitted my application."
Nathan smile soon faded as he saw that his wife didn't seem so happy with the news. "Hey Hales, what's wrong? That's good news.. isn't it?"
"Oh yeah.. it is.. but it's just that.. I sort of had my mind set on going to Duke."
"Duke?"
"Yeah, I know you always wanted to play there.."
"Hales.. you've always wanted to go to Stanford.. I want to go where you're going."
"Me too .. but as much as I love Stanford.. I don't love it like you love Duke.. I mean you're going to be a part of their team.. that's huge.. I was just going to be another student at Stanford.. I love the campus and I'd love to go there but I can still get the same education at Duke.. plus I'll be with you.. and Lucas might go to UNC so.. what do you say?"
"I can't let you go to Duke for me."
"And I won't let you go to Stanford for me."
"Hales.."
"Nate! If anything I can always do my master's or something at Stanford if I wanted to. I really want to go to Duke.. and yes I am going for you .. but it's not like we're going to go to college and break up?.. We're not going to break up again?" She asked with a bit of worry in her face.
"Never happening."
"Good (she smiled)..so .. what do you say?"
Nathan smiled. "We're going to Duke!" He hugged Haley and twirled her around. He set her down. "You're going to love it there, I promise."
"As long as I'm with you, I know I will."
"God I love you so much."
"I love you too."
He stared into his eyes and he couldn't believe how happy he is right now. This whole evening has just been magical. He wiped a strand of hair behind Haley's ear.
"Marry me?" He came out blurting. Haley gave him a weird look.
"Umm.. kinda did that already." She was confused.
Nathan smiled wider and got that on his knees and held her hand.
"Marry me?" He asked a little louder.
"We're already marry.. you're fingers are over the ring… just how many drinks did you already have?"
Nathan laughed. "I should've stole that ring from you..hehe.. but being with our friends tonight, I realized we never got to tell everyone how much we love each other."
"You do remember that Lucas threw us a reception?"
"I know but it wasn't a big fancy wedding that you've always wanted."
"Hey.. I have the husband I always wanted.. that's more than enough."
"We've been apart longer than we've been together and I just want the whole world to know how much you make me happy.. to be up there on the alter in front of all our family and friends .. there's been so much sadness lately .. why not celebrate us .. so what do you say, will you marry me again?"
Haley heart melted and she grabbed his hand bringing him back up. "Yes!" She said as she kissed him once more.
---
"Hey Luke, got a minute?"
"Sure man." Lucas responded as he and Lucas were alone outside.
"I wanted to tell you… I asked Haley to marry me."
"You could've told me that a year ago, what's going on?"
"We're.. we're going to renew our vows."
"Aww Nate, that's awesome."
"Yeah.. and I want you to be the best man."
"Me?!"
"Yeah.. I mean you are Haley's best friend and you're my brother and I wouldn't know what I'd do this past year if it wasn't for you.. so what do you say?"
"Of course little brother." The two shaking hands and patting each other in the back.
On the other side, Haley rushed Peyton and Brooke outside.
"So what's up tutor girl?" Brooke asked.
"K, I wanted to let you guys know that Nathan asked me to marry him again.. we're going to renew our vows!" Haley sounded very excited.
"Oh my God that's great!" Peyton said and the three girls embraced.
"Which brings me to my next big news.. I was wondering if you two would like to be my bridesmaids?"
Brooke and Peyton started to squeal. "Of course!"
"Oh this is going to be soo much fun, I love weddings or re-weddings.. whatever." Brooke could barely hold back her excitement.
Haley laughed. "And Brooke.. I really couldn't have made it without you.. especially since you took me into the apartment when I moved back.. how would you like to be my maid of honor?"
"Maid of honor!? Oh my God, I think I'm going to cry?" Brooke said as tears were forming.
"Well if you don't want it, hey Pey.."
"What NO! .. I mean yes .. of course I'll be your maid of honor!!.. AHHH!!" Brooke was so excited and they hugged once more.
Meanwhile, Lucas heard Brooke squealing and turned over to Nathan. "I guess Haley told the girls."
The two brothers walked around and met up with the girls. Lucas immediately went over to congratulate Haley and Peyton and Brooke each hugged Nathan. Rachel came out, where she joined Mouth, Bevin and Skills on the deck.
"What I miss?" She asked.
"Nathan and Haley are going to have another wedding… to renew their vows."
"I just love weddings." Bevin hinted as she gently nudged against Skills, who looked the other way. Rachel laughed and she looked over to Nathan and Haley who were still being congratulated by their friends. Rachel sighed to herself. This was their weekend, they just got back together. She didn't want to worry them, it could all wait, but a voice kept creeping into Rachel's mind saying, Daunte.
To Be Continued …
I guess this could be considered my little fluff piece for Valentine's Day. Sorry for any grammar/spelling mistakes, I was a little tired from work. I hope you enjoyed, but be prepared for some drama up ahead. Poor Naley, but I promise no phycho nannies. So just a quick status update, expect updates for Games and Blood this weekend. Games, I think will be coming to an end soon, I think which is good considering that I really like my new story "Winners and Losers," which will continue. Thanks and please review!